Intercontinental Hotels introduces two new brands to UK

Intercontinental Hotels has announced plans to introduce two new brands to the UK market this year. It will launch the Staybridge Suite and Hotel Indigo chains outside of the US later this year.

The first UK Staybridge Suite, a chain for business travellers living away from home long-term, will open in Liverpool later this year. The company says this is a new sector in the UK hotels market, but is the fastest growing segment in the US.

There are plans for eight hotels in the UK and IHG hopes to sign around 20 properties in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region by 2010.

IHG describes the Indigo chain as “branded boutique hotels”. Details of the UK roll-out have yet to be finalised.

The plans will be overseen by John Wagner, who is the vice-president of both brands across the EMEA region. Louise O’Shea will head marketing for the Staybridge brand across EMEA, and Robert Olszewski, will handle the marketing in the UK and Ireland.

A marketing team has yet to be appointed for Hotel Indigo.

ICH chief executive, Andrew Cosslett says: “We are continuing to strengthen our brands and to expand their geographic reach. Following continued success in the US, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites will be opening in the UK in 2008.”